So it's the end of January already and the Christmas break probably seems like a distant memory, but as I sit down today and put together this blog of portraits I've created over the last month and a bit, I'm reminded of what a wonderful time I've had photographing these lovely families.

During the Christmas holidays we had the joy of just staying home and enjoying some well deserved slow days, and it also gave me the opportunity to be able to photograph some beautiful families who were all together for Christmas. So often, especially with extended family and adult children living further apart, this is the only time of year a family is all together as one. It's also a fun time to get to take family portraits because every one is in holiday mode, relaxed and enjoying the quality time spent with their loved ones.

Helen contacted me months ago about having family portraits taken. Some of her family live overseas making it all the more special that they could get these photographs. Helen's daughter was actually a bridesmaid at a wedding we shot, so I have Courtney to thank for the recommendation here!

On Christmas Eve I met all the Tutty family in Gore for a laidback afternoon of photo-taking. I've known Simon and Kirstine for a number of years now, so it was wonderful to meet Simon's parents and siblings along with their families. We even managed to include the pets, a classic car and a pretty cool old truck!

​I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this family and recently Carol and John sat down with me to view their photos, selecting their favourites to be made into a gorgeous leather album.

Earlier in the year Bridget got in touch with me asking if I'd create some portraits for her family while they were all together for one last Christmas in the family home where she and Angus grew up before her parents moved.

I am sure there are very special memories attached to this home for the McDonald family and it was my pleasure to be able to create photographs that will endure just like those memories. This is the epitome of what photography is to me. Creating an lasting product that encapsulates memories and tells a story of people's lives. 

This month I photographed the Gardyne and Hall families, along with their fantastic collection of farm machinery! We got a beautiful, calm Sunday and the light was just lovely. I loved the fun afternoon I had with this family hanging out and creating portraits.

​I'm about to get printing these gorgeous photos and I can't wait to see them roll off the printer ready to be enjoyed.

Now this may just look like a great line up of machinery but more than that it's also hours upon hours of scrubbing and cleaning that went into getting all this gear ready for the photoshoot! I know the guys will enjoy having this record up on the wall in the smoko room.

And last but certainly not least is the gorgeous Preston family. Meagan recently got in touch with me to arrange doing family portraits and it turns out they haven't ever had family photos done! So this month I headed out to Roger & Kirsty's farm on the other side of Winton and we had a relaxed evening in their backyard creating photos.

​Just yesterday they came in to the studio to view all their photos and I had a great time helping them come up with a beautiful framed series which is going to look fantastic on their wall at home.

I am excited the year ahead of portraits! As we find a new balance with our wedding work I am looking forward to being able to take on more portraits over summer and into autumn. Starting with another family session this weekend - fingers crossed for a break in this windy weather!

​I've made some changes to my pricing this year too which means better value for my clients (you can read about that here) and I can't wait to meet all the beautiful people who book their portraits with me this year! If you're keen to get portraits this summer or autumn please get in touch as spaces are filling fast!

I just realised that there is a mere 20 days until Christmas! I feel like it was Christmas not that long ago haha - where has the last year gone?! If you're like me and haven't organised all your Christmas presents yet then I have a pretty sweet special running until the 16th of December on our portrait gift cards (find out more here).

So now that I'm back on board after 10 days away drinking cocktails in Rarotonga, it's time for a re-cap of the beautiful month that was November. Here's some of my favourite portraits taken last month...

It was lovely seeing past wedding couple Cory & Ashleigh again and their wee dude Felix! The weather worked against us but we still got some beautiful family shots.

I'm currently creating a stunning keepsake prints box for them which Ashleigh plans to fill with annual family photos each year. I absolutely love this idea and our Italian leather display boxes allow you to switch out the displayed photo as often as you want with ease - a great way to get maximum enjoyment from your portraits!

I also had the pleasure of catching up with the gorgeous Hamill family in November. I feel as if I sound like a broken record but getting to photograph a family multiple times over the years is one of the best things ever! I've photographed so many life milestones for Caleb and Paula. It's a true privilege - getting to see kids grow up, family dynamics change and love forever grow.

Earlier in November I met Helen and her two boys Jake & Ollie, full of life and laughter. We had a fabulous time creating some casual portraits at Dolamore Park one evening.

You know I love nothing more than photographs filled with fun, laughter and candidness. But this striking photo below is possibly my absolute favourite portrait from the whole month and not a hint of a smile in sight...

It was wonderful to see the Walsh family this month. Just a day before Joel and Aimee (one of our past wedding couples!) got on a plane to fly to literally the other side of the world to start their new adventure in Ireland! Thank you Aimee & Joel for organising these family photos - it was a pleasure to create some precious memories while you were all together and also of course to see you again.

Last but not least is the lovely Horne family! I had a great evening hanging out with these guys updating their family portraits before Ethan heads away to University next year.

Now I'm working on a stunning linen covered photo album for Adele to showcase the wonderful mix of candid, fun portraits we created. Getting to print my portraits & bring them to life is the most rewarding part of my work, other than meeting & creating connections with the beautiful people in the portraits!

I have just a handful of portraits left for this incredible year and already my summer months are starting to book with portrait sessions.

​Don't forget to check out my limited time Christmas Gift Card Special (here). Our popular gift cards make awesome presents anytime of the year but especially for Christmas. Give a loved one the gift of photos. Preserving memories forever. (Or if you're wanting to do your own family portraits in 2020 this is a great chance to get the ball rolling & make your $$ go further! 😀).

It's the last day of October already and what a month it's been! I can't say the weather has been particularly steady but I've still managed to get through some awesome portrait sessions and we got some cracker days amongst all this rain and wind!

The start of October was full on with the Invercargill leg of my spring mini sessions. And then I've been all over Southland this month doing family portrait sessions on homes & farms.

Here's some of my favourite portraits from the beautiful month that has been...

I loved this portrait session with the gorgeous Affleck family! Richard & Kate's boys were very much on the go and I loved the documentary, candid approach we took - simply capturing them as a family, enjoying quality time at the park. Hunting for painted rocks, riding their bikes and enjoying the spring sunshine.

Meet Colin & Dorothy's beautiful family with ten grandies! I so enjoyed my time with these beautiful people capturing precious family portraits in Dorothy's lovely garden at Thornbury.

Extended family portraits are a great chance to not only create those legacy family photographs of the whole family, but also for each family group to update their portraits too!

My printer is running hot at the moment with so many prints from all these beautiful shoots, including a wonderful black & white series for the Anderson family. It was a huge privilege to get to photograph these guys again, now with little George too!

Alison, Jordan and their fun wee man Jack. We took a stroll around their backyard at Blackmount to create some family portraits, complete with matching Red Band gumboots of course!

My 2019 calendar is just about full and I'm booking portrait sessions for January & February already. Get in touch to grab a portrait info pack from me and get your portrait session booked!

And if you're getting organised with Christmas presents for your loved ones and friends, why not give the gift that keeps on giving - with a gift card for portraits! You can buy them directly here or enquire with me for more info. x